|
Presenting author biography: Dr Greer Janssen is a surgical registrar working on the Acute Surgical Unit at Auckland City Hospital. |
|
Tertiary Surveys - A Prospective Study on Missed Injuries
Authors List
Janssen, G., Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand; Fischer, N., Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
Introduction: The Early Management of Severe Trauma principles minimise the risk of missing life-threatening and major injuries, however, the missed injury rate for primary and secondary surveys may be as high as 50% (Janjua et al., 1998). Tertiary surveys are completed at Auckland City Hospital to reduce the incidence of missed injuries in complex trauma. The tertiary survey is completed once the patient has been stabilised with the aim to further reduce missed injuries. Missed injuries have the potential to significantly impact patient treatment and long-term recovery. Our hypothesis is that using a formalised tertiary survey process, we can improve patient care by reducing the impact of missed injuries, as well as acting on other important incidental findings.
Aims: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the tertiary survey as a tool for detecting missed injuries.
Methods: All tertiary surveys completed at Auckland District Health Board between 01 January 2020 and 15 June 2020 were reviewed and missed injuries identified were recorded.
Results: 105 of tertiary surveys were completed at Auckland City Hospital. The mean patient age was 45.7 ± 17.7 years. Tertiary surveys identified missed injuries in 24.8% of patients (n = 26). Sixty-nine percent (n = 18) of these missed injuries were clinically significant and required further investigation, treatment, or follow up.
Conclusions: Tertiary surveys are a useful tool to detect missed injuries in complex trauma patients following primary and secondary surveys. The use of a tertiary survey ensures adequate identification, treatment, and follow up in complex trauma admissions.
References
Janjua, K. J., Sugrue, M., & Deane, S. A. (1998). Prospective evaluation of early missed injuries and the role of tertiary trauma survey. The Journal of Trauma, 44(6), 1000–1006; discussion 1006–1007.
Authors List
Janssen, G., Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand; Fischer, N., Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
Introduction: The Early Management of Severe Trauma principles minimise the risk of missing life-threatening and major injuries, however, the missed injury rate for primary and secondary surveys may be as high as 50% (Janjua et al., 1998). Tertiary surveys are completed at Auckland City Hospital to reduce the incidence of missed injuries in complex trauma. The tertiary survey is completed once the patient has been stabilised with the aim to further reduce missed injuries. Missed injuries have the potential to significantly impact patient treatment and long-term recovery. Our hypothesis is that using a formalised tertiary survey process, we can improve patient care by reducing the impact of missed injuries, as well as acting on other important incidental findings.
Aims: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the tertiary survey as a tool for detecting missed injuries.
Methods: All tertiary surveys completed at Auckland District Health Board between 01 January 2020 and 15 June 2020 were reviewed and missed injuries identified were recorded.
Results: 105 of tertiary surveys were completed at Auckland City Hospital. The mean patient age was 45.7 ± 17.7 years. Tertiary surveys identified missed injuries in 24.8% of patients (n = 26). Sixty-nine percent (n = 18) of these missed injuries were clinically significant and required further investigation, treatment, or follow up.
Conclusions: Tertiary surveys are a useful tool to detect missed injuries in complex trauma patients following primary and secondary surveys. The use of a tertiary survey ensures adequate identification, treatment, and follow up in complex trauma admissions.
References
Janjua, K. J., Sugrue, M., & Deane, S. A. (1998). Prospective evaluation of early missed injuries and the role of tertiary trauma survey. The Journal of Trauma, 44(6), 1000–1006; discussion 1006–1007.
